International Women's Day is Monday, March 8. It's a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and consider what more needs to be done to achieve gender parity.Calgary Public Library staff pulled together some of our favourite books and movies featuring strong female characters and stories to get you started. Read and watch them this International Women's Day and any day you are interested in stories of perseverance, creativity, and celebration.Biographies and Autobiographies of Incredible WomenThese ten books center around a compelling woman who overcame obstacles and influenced history. Read about a contemporary businesswoman, a Second World War radio operator, a resistance fighter, and a tennis coach. Their stories will take you around the world and through history.See the listBooks by Indigenous WomenFemale Indigenous writers provide stories that echo the timeless wisdom of Elders while encapsulating the modern challenges experienced by women and girls. Celebrate the spirit and intent of International Women's Day by learning more about Indigenous women with these compelling, heartbreaking, and hopeful reads.See the list20 Films About Extraordinary WomenSome of these movies are full of joy, while others are more dramatic. They are all by or about women. From the award-winning documentary Young Lakota to the lush biopic Paula, these films are all available on Kanopy.See the listBooks for KidsThese books for kids celebrate the strength and creativity of women and girls. From the picture book Franny’s Father is a Feminist by Rhonda Leet, to the collection of 100 stories in Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli, this list includes recommendations for kids from three to 12 that will also delight the adult reading with them.See the list
Read more about "Stories What to Read and Watch to Honour International Women's Day Our recommendations to celebrate women this Monday, March 8 and everyday"Trickster Tales Rudy Black Plume, Iitsikiitsapoyii (Standing On Top Alone) Crowfoot Library (2021) Throughout the Americas, the "Trickster" character appears in some form within every culture. Trickster stories are integral in Indigenous cultures, as they teach us about right and wrong. They are full of adventure, humour, wisdom, foolishness, generosity, and greed, and always end with a lesson being learned. The Trickster comes in many forms: for the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot), he is a man; for the Tsuut'ina, he appears as either a coyote or raven; for the Îyarhe Nakoda, he is a spider; and for the Nêhiyawak (Plains Cree) and Métis, he is a rabbit. Within Siksikaitsitapi understanding of the Trickster, he is the creator of the landscapes within our territory. His stories give us knowledge of how to live off the land in a way that secures the continuity of our sacred medicines and food sources. Trickster Tales seeks to empower the Treaty 7 community by highlighting Indigenous storytelling as an essential element to understanding Indigenous ways of knowing. About the Artist Rudy Black Plume, Iitsikiitsapoyii (Standing On Top Alone) is an artist, elementary school teacher, and member of the Kainai Nation within the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikaitsitapi). She holds a B.A. in Native American Studies and a B.Ed. in Native Education from the University of Lethbridge. Rudy’s art is rooted in her love for Niitsitapi culture and draws inspiration from Blackfoot ways of knowing. Her practice is reflective of her experiences as a Blackfoot person living in a world that lacks representation of Indigenous perspectives. Black Plume understands that representation is crucial to our lived experiences, as it helps to shape how we envision ourselves and how we are perceived by others. She believes art and creativity can broaden perspectives, bring people together, and heal our spirits.
Read more about "Trickster Tales"Prefer the feel of physical books? Check out our curated seasonal book lists to find the perfect reads for a cold winter day. Then place a hold on your favourites and pick them up through our Curbside Holds Service.
Read more about "Take home great winter reads through Curbside Holds Service "Stop by the Living History: Glimpses of Our Past installation to see a collection of the area’s history in a digital display.
Read more about "History surrounds you."Learn about the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth in our local history section.
Read more about "Calgary's Story"The Fidler Map is the first recorded map of the Blackfoot traditional territory. The map details insights from a Blackfoot Chief named Ackomokki — but was named after the European man who transcribed his drawings, Peter Fidler.
Read more about "The Fidler Map"The drum is the heartbeat of mother earth. Come and hear about the stories of the land through the drum in this hands-on interactive experience with a Cree drummer. Mackenzie...
Read more about "Indigenous Artist in Residence: Final Showcase and Drum Experience"Jesse is a visual artist, animator, and filmmaker from Alberta. His practice includes illustration, graphic design, and photography, but his core focus is spray-painted murals. He teaches mural and animation arts across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Read more about "Jesse Gouchey"This gorgeous outdoor thoroughfare creates a pathway for pedestrians to pass over the existing LRT line and venture across the city. The entrance is built with western red cedar, and the wooden soffit’s design is inspired by the chinook arch cloud formations common to Calgary’s skies.
Read more about "Bringing the community together to learn, inspire, and celebrate."Sahar Hakimi is a visual artist from Tehran, Iran. Her artworks are inspired by women and the beauty of routine life.
Read more about "Sahar Hakimi"